AUSTIN — Julián Castro launched a new political action committee Tuesday to help the Democratic Party groom younger candidates and take control of the U.S. House of Representatives, according to the Texas Tribune.

The former U.S. Housing and Urban Development secretary has already used his PAC to support Congressional District 32 candidate Colin Allred, who served as a special assistant to HUD under President Barack Obama and Castro. Allred also played in the NFL for the Tennessee Titans.

The civil rights attorney is looking to unseat incumbent Rep. Pete Sessions of Dallas, and has to navigate a crowded Democratic primary in March before battling Sessions in November.

Sessions hasn’t had a serious Democratic challenger since 2004, when he beat Democrat Martin Frost.

Allred is joined in the crowded Democratic primary by former State Department senior adviser Ed Meier, Dallas immigration attorney George Rodriguez, former Agriculture Department official Lillian Salerno, former television reporter Brett Shipp, retired aerospace engineer Ron Marshall and businessman Todd Maternowski.

It's a new year and it's time to elect a new generation of young progressive leaders from city hall to Capitol Hill who believe in opportunity for all. It's time for new blood. That's what @Opportunity1st is about. Find out more at https://t.co/AztnpTVzZl

According to the Texas Tribune, paperwork for Castro’s PAC was filed earlier in 2017. The PAC will have two different branches to achieve its goals: one to support the campaigns of U.S. House candidates, and the other supporting local, non-federal candidates.

Castro opted out of a 2018 gubernatorial race, while his brother Joaquin dropped a Senate run when El Paso Rep. Beto O’Rourke took to the campaign trail against Sen. Ted Cruz. The Tribune asked Castro if his PAC, named Opportunity First, was his way of preparing for a presidential run.

Congratulations to @JulianCastro on the launch of @opportunity1st, which is working to elect the next generation of Democratic leaders. I am thrilled and honored to be among the first candidates Opportunity First has chosen to support. https://t.co/ulkrm1Lg1C